Today's Federal Register included an amendment to funding from DOL-VETS for Stand Down events. In recognition of the substantial scale of such disasters as Hurricane Harvey, the Secretary of Labor has determined it appropriate, in certain circumstances where a federal major disaster has been declared, to allow entities proposing to conduct Stand Down events in areas impacted by those disasters to apply for funds in amounts up to $50,000.

It is anticipated that this expanded ceiling will be most often provided on account of disasters that are similar in scale to such events as Hurricane Harvey and that impact substantial populations. In such circumstances, as declared by the Secretary in writing, entities proposing to conduct Stand Down events (1) within those designated counties where a federal major disaster has been declared by the President, or (2) in geographical areas to which a substantial number of veterans from those declared counties have been relocated, may apply for a one-time request for funds in amounts up to $50,000 through December 31, 2017.

Applications will be processed and awarded subject to availability of funding. The general maximum award amounts of $10,000 per applicant per fiscal year for multiple day Stand Down events, or $7,000 for one day events, will not apply to such requests for designated counties where a federal major disaster has been declared by the President. Acceptable uses of Stand Down grant funds have not changed. Applicants may expend these funds over a period not to exceed Sept. 30, 2018, or if funded after Oct. 1, 2017, applicants may expend these funds over a period not to exceed Sept. 20, 2019, the statutory life of the appropriated funds.